UCF looks to bounce back in first Big 12 home game vs. Baylor
Baylor (1-3, 0-1 Big 12) at UCF (3-1, 0-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Line: UCF by 11 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: UCF leads 1-0.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Baylor took out advertisements on billboards along highways in Orlando and Central Florida welcoming UCF to the Big 12. UCF is seeking its first Big 12 win and doing so in front of a sold-out crowd celebrating the moment for the Knights. The Bears have lost three games this season with an 11-point loss to Texas State in the opener and a seven-point loss to No. 10 Utah. Baylor has struggled to find offensive consistency and a young defense has struggled.
KEY MATCHUP
UCF's defensive line vs. Baylor's offensive line. UCF worked its way through the first three games of the season as a dominant defensive front able to get pressure on the quarterback and stop the run in the opening three games. But UCF managed only one sack and no additional quarterback hits in the loss to Kansas State. Baylor struggled with Texas' pass rush last week. The Bears gave up five sacks and an additional four quarterback hits in the loss.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Baylor: WR Monaray Baldwin. He had a solid game against Texas, using his speed to get some open space and find some room to run against the Longhorns. He tallied three catches for 81 yards, including a 55-yard reception. He has five catches for 158 yards so far this season. Baldwin can be a big-play weapon for the Bears but he and the Baylor offense are seeking more consistency.
UCF: WR Kobe Hudson. One of the bright spots for UCF in its loss to Kansas State was the continued emergence of Hudson. He recorded five catches for 138 yards and tow touchdowns last week. He has a team-high 20 catches for 463 yards so far this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen remains day-to-day after getting injured in Baylor's season-opening loss to Texas State. Shapen threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns in the game before exiting in the third quarter. Sawyer Robertson has stepped in, throwing for 647 yards with a touchdown and four picks in his stead. ... UCF will honor its 2013 team that defeated Baylor 52-42 in the Fiesta Bowl. That win was UCF's first appearance in a New Year's Six bowl game and the only previous meeting between these two now-Big 12 members.
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